Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After the course the student is able to
- Tell the physical and chemical distinctions between natural fibres, regenerated fibres, and nanofibres
- Describe the basic structures, properties and functions of common hemicelluloses and lignins
- Master the morphology of the native cellulose microfibril and acknowledge how it affects nanocellulose preparation and properties
- Explain comprehensively how nanocellulose is produced
- Detect the major obstacles and difficulties in cellulose dissolution and regeneration through basic laws of physical chemistry
- Explain the main pathways to chemical modification of cellulose and nanocellulose
- Apply basic structure-property relationship to cellulose-based fibres and understand their implications in most common modern applications (excluding paper and board)
Credits: 5
Schedule: 08.09.2020 - 15.10.2020
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Eero Kontturi
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Eero Kontturi
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Isolation of wood and non-wood fibres from the plant material; cell wall structure of lignocellulosic fibres; chemical structure and most common chemical reactions of cell wall components (including hemicellulose and lignin); crystallinity and morphology of cellulose; structure-property relationships of lignocellulosic fibres; sorption behaviour and effect on properties; fibre mechanics and modelling; defects in fibres and their effect on properties; dissolution of cellulose and manufacture of regenerated cellulose; structure and properties of regenerated cellulose; nanocellulose isolation, characteristics and applications
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Oral examination (50% of the grade)
Report based on the project work (50% of the grade)
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
12 lectures: 25 h (including preparation)
Examination: 20 h (self-study)
Laboratory project: 90 h (including planning, reporting, and presenting)
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Lectures
Lecture notes and included further reading
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Laboratory safety course CHEM-A1010 or CHEM-E0140 (or alternatively, laboratory safety as part of courses CHEM-A1000 or CHEM-E0100 taught before Academic Year 2017-2018) must have been passed before performing any laboratory works in this course.
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
13 Climate Action
15 Life on Land